The STAR-PSTP track is a separate application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and requires a supplemental application as detailed below. It is very competitive, and we strongly encourage those interested in training at UCLA to apply to both STAR-PSTP and Categorical tracks. For residents that are accepted into a UCLA categorical program but not STAR-PSTP, another application to STAR-PSTP may be made at the end of intern year.

Requirements

All STAR-PSTP applicants must meet the same requirements as those of the Categorical Track of the UCLA Internal Medicine Residency Program, as listed on the UCLA Internal Medicine Residency Program website. 

STAR-PSTP applicants must hold an MD or equivalent degree at the time of matriculation into the program. Applicants must have had substantive prior exposure to research (basic, translational, or clinical).  This may be in the form of a PhD, Master’s level degree, or a rigorous research experience prior to or during medical school education. 

Applicants with less extensive research training but with a compelling narrative that demonstrates a commitment to a physician-investigator career are also encouraged to apply.

Strong letters of recommendation from prior research mentors, rigorous nature of prior research experiences, and a strong track record of research publications are heavily weighed on review for acceptance.

Applying through ERAS - Applications Open September 4, 2024

Please use the STAR-PSTP NRMP #1956 140C1 (formerly known as ProSTAR-PSTP).

Applications for the 2024-2025 year will open September 2, 2024 and close November 4, 2024.

Note that applicants who hold a PhD must submit a letter from their primary thesis mentor through ERAS.

Required Supplemental Application - Deadline for Application:  November 4, 2024

The supplemental application is used to understand your motivation for pursuing a research career and how the UCLA STAR-PSTP may be utilized to help you achieve your career goals.

Please complete the supplemental application process through the link below: 

We require two letters of support from prior research mentors or collaborators. If these are not sent to us through ERAS, they may be emailed directly by the letter writer to [email protected].

Interview Season and COVID Impacts

In collaboration with the Graduate Medical Education (GME) office at UCLA, the STAR Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) has determined that all program interviews during the interview season will be conducted in a virtual setting in order to provide an equitable process for all applicants, both from local and non-local institutions.

Interview and Evaluation

All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and qualified applicants will be notified of invitation to interview via email.

All applicants will be interviewed by the UCLA Categorical Internal Medicine Residency Program and STAR-PSTP program on the same day. Applicants are strongly encouraged to select one of 4 STAR-PSTP research days (open house). Categorical program orientation and interviews will occur in the morning, and the afternoon will provide STAR-PSTP specific programming and interviews. 

The PSTP interview dates for the 2024-2025 interview season are: TBD. We encourage applicants interested in the UCLA STAR-PSTP to interview on one of the designated STAR-PSTP interview dates. Please see the complete schedule on the internal medicine residency site. 

Upon completion of the interview season, applicant files are reviewed by the PSTP Selection Committee consisting of the program co-directors and a representative panel of affiliated scientists for consideration of ranking.

Matching into the STAR-PSTP (NRMP #1956 140C1) means that applicants enter the STAR-PSTP track of the categorical program.

Matching into the Categorical program (NRMP #1956 140C0) means matching into the three-year categorical program only.

We encourage applicants to apply to both, the Categorical program AND the STAR-PSTP Track of the Categorical program.

Residents in the categorical program are able to apply into the STAR-PSTP, commonly at the end of the intern year. Acceptance into the program varies per year.